Suspect is a fungus
Agatha Christie used to sit under this tree, where should watch her favourite summer sport of cricket and do the scoring in a special book.
Now torbay Council and Barton Cricket Club say they have done their very best to preserve this historical tree - but the end is nigh. More than half of it has fallen over and the remaining section is diseased, so it will now have to be completely removed for public safety reasons.
Over the years many tree experts have admired this tree and provided technical advice.
The Council has carried out restoration works to the canopy, removed the tarmac around the base of the tree and created a woodland environment to help improve the trees health. They also protected the tree with a fence to reduce cars parking nearby.
The tree has been suffering for years with two wood-rooting fungi which forms on the bark or exposed wood. These decay fungi are among the most damaging of diseases, particularly in older trees.
The council will now be working with the cricket club to secure a replacement tree.
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